Pete Alonso crushed a grand slam to highlight a seven-run fifth inning, and the New York Mets rolled past the Miami Marlins 10-4 on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series at loanDepot Park.
Starling Marte, Luis Torrens, and Brandon Nimmo also homered as the Mets’ offense exploded for 11 hits, with every starter contributing at least one. New York left-hander David Peterson (1-0) delivered a strong outing, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings while striking out nine and walking three.
The Marlins took an early lead when Otto López belted a solo homer in the first inning. However, the Mets responded in the third when Marte went deep to even the score at 1-1.
The game turned decisively in the fifth. After getting ahead 3-1 in the count against Miami starter Cal Quantrill (0-1), Alonso fouled off two consecutive sinkers before launching a 400-foot grand slam over the right-center field wall. It was the slugger’s fourth career grand slam and put the Mets up 6-1.
The Mets weren’t done. Luis Torrens followed up with a two-run homer off reliever George Soriano to cap the seven-run frame, pushing New York’s lead to 8-1.
Brandon Nimmo added a two-run blast in the sixth, bringing his career home run total at loanDepot Park to eight, tying his highest number at any road stadium. He has also hit eight at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park and Atlanta’s Truist Park.
Miami scratched across two runs in the ninth inning, snapping a streak of 11 2/3 scoreless innings by the Mets’ bullpen to start the season.
Quantrill, who signed a one-year deal with Miami in February, struggled in his Marlins debut. The 30-year-old right-hander allowed six runs and eight hits in four-plus innings before being pulled following Alonso’s grand slam.
Mets star shortstop Francisco Lindor sat out the game after his wife gave birth to their third child. However, he managed to make it to the ballpark in time for first pitch, though he did not play.
The Mets will send right-hander Kodai Senga to the mound on Tuesday for his season debut. Miami will counter with 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcántara (0-0, 3.86 ERA) as the Marlins look to even the series.
